Obama Backer: Irreparable Breach Between Clinton And Blacks Is Foreseeable

A key Obama supporter in North Carolina said it was "foreseeable" that an "irreparable breach" had been created between the black community and the Clintons as a byproduct of conduct during the Democratic campaign.

Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a African American Democrat from North Carolina, was asked on a conference call to respond to comments reported earlier in the day by Rep Jim Clyburn, in which he qualified former president Bill Clinton's recent primary conduct as "bizarre."

"Jim Clyburn is my very best friend in the U.S. Congress and he and I talk on and off the record every day of the week," said Butterfield, who predicted that the race in North Carolina would ultimately be decided by single-digits. "That said, I had not read his comments... But politics by its very nature is a competitive process and there have been times when Sen. Clinton has walked up to the line and there has been a time or two when she has stepped over the line in terms of her comments... Whether there is an irreparable breach, I don't think we are at the point right now where we are at an irreparable breach, but it is foreseeable and that is why I encourage civility."

In the days leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, Bill Clinton was quoted on a local radio station as blaming the Obama campaign for "playing the race card" on him. A day later, he denied that he had ever made such a remark. In an interview in Friday's New York Times, Clyburn responded to the episode, as well as other Clinton remarks, by saying: "black people are incensed over all of this."

Comments

[ann1]

A white guy called in to C-SPAN this morning telling white voters to hold off on some of the mean speech directed at Sen Obama and not to judge him based on what Rev Wrong said. He also wanted AA's to know that all white people were not the same and not to judge them as such. I thank him for that as I do many of Sen Obama's white supporters. As the Senator said this is not black America or white America, this is the United States of America. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall.

[tbone99]

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – As America prepares for a string of primaries and caucuses to determine who will be its next Democratic and Republican nominees for president, the majority of the 42-member Congressional Black Caucus who have chosen to endorse in the race IS SPLIT 15-15 between CBC member Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Now this was written in Jan. of this year, anybody got the latest?

[Teyshar]

I am not sure what it is...today but at last count it is 24 Obama 15 Hillary and 3 undetermined or non commited...

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI)
Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC)
Rep. William Jefferson (LA)

[WaynesWhirled]

Why does everyone keep holding up the Black vote as being all important? Why is it that White Americans, Asian Americans, and Latino Americans are all considered unimportant? Why should the political preference of every other American racial/ethnic group be overlooked because Black Americans want a Black President? And pardon the play on words, but it seems as if the Democratic party is being blackmailed by the African American community.

[UNR]

Uh, because if Blacks don't turn out......Democrats don't win elections in heavily populated districts. I'm sorry this seems to upset you but it is an undeniable fact in American politics. I think Reid and Pelosi are wanting to see this close, because they foresee a scenario in which Black apathy not only cause the Dems to lose the Presidency, but also numerous congresssional and Senate races, which would be career changing for them as well. Of course the tunnel-visioned Clintons appear to either not see this, or be so confident in their ability to mend the fences that they don't care.

[WaynesWhirled]

And yet Whites, Asians, and Latino Americans far outnumber the African Americans in this country. And the majority don't support Obama.

[laland69]

The reason why the black vote in the democratic party is very important is because blacks have been the most loyal consituientcy in the democraty party. Always voting over 80% for democratic candidates since the 60's. No other demographic has voted this way. Whites, latinos, asian-americans, etc. The states where the election could be decided in the general election such as the southern states, NY, NJ, IL, IN, and other states, democrats need their vote to win. If blacks boycott the general election if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, there is no way she can beat John McCain. That is why blacks are important.

[WaynesWhirled]

And yet Whites, Asians, and Latino Americans far outnumber the African Americans in this country. And the majority don't support Obama. So why are their votes not being considered as being important?

[EugeneWright]

"...If blacks boycott the general election if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, there is no way she can beat John McCain. That is why blacks are important."

And exactly why it was NOT the Clinton campaign that FIRST interjected race as an issue in this election. Although I won't deny that they tacitly allowed it to work in their favor in PA when left no alternative.

[WongChin]

You most certainly have a problem. What is currently being held as "all important" is the ethnic white strawmen.

I call them strawmen because 1. they are a small group, 2. vote overwhelmingly Republican, 3. Obama is being called upon to prove he can win them, even though he has lost this group by respectable margins, while 4. Clinton is not being called upon to prove she can win the black vote, even though she has won a smaller share of their votes than Bush!, 5. even though blacks outnumber ethnic white strawmen by far, 6. even though no democrat can win the presidency without winning at least 60% of their vote.

How did you contrive to ignore the fact that the issue in the forefront is not winning the black vote but winning the votes of ethnic white men? There is sure something beclouding your vision.

[ann1]

I agree with you

[Gmoney1]

We are all important and we cannot win without each other - nevertheless, the media started out with this thing that Obama could not transend race (win white votes) then Clinton piggybacked on that and began to campaign on some silly politics by saying Obama was an "elitist" and was insulting blue collar uneducated white voters - No american should be insulted or demeaned by anyone but this has happened - we cannot win without the cooperation of all - the majority of females want Hillary to win and the majority of blacks want Obama to win - both candidates are qualified - now it will be up to either to garner their votes without regard to gender or race - but the media is not letting that happen because they want to be the gender and race agitators - instead of just reporting who is winning based on the numbers the media has to break it down by race, gender, religion and age - that was not productive - it gives this new media style their reasons to exists which is to stir up the ugly head of sexism, racism and religious prejudices -

[dollars2donuts]

First of all, Blacks have been thrown under the bus by pro HIllary camp. Second of all, no one is paying attention to us, all attention for months has been showered on the precious blue collar man and woman in backwater USA, everyone is scrambling to put them on the couch and to woo them. We are actually the forgotten and disrespected demographic, but I know it's hard to see that through your HIll-colored glasses. Thirdly, NO Dem can win without massive AA support, and these other groups are very wishy washy about which party them support, whereas we always vote >90% Dem--who else has been this loyal. And how is it blackmail to exercise freedom to vote for another party if your own party is disrespectful, and unfair enough to give nom to candidate who has far less delegates and states won? You are filled with hate and would be better off in GOP. Why don't you go to their website where fellow anti Blacks are happy and in fellowship?

[FogCityJohn]

First, dollars2donuts, please don't think that no one is paying attention to AA voters. Reading between the lines of recent news stories, I think there's likely a heated discussion going on among Democratic leaders about Hillary's racist tactics. (BTW, I'm a white guy, and I definitely think her attacks are racist.) Jim Clyburn just put this issue out on the table, and I suspect we'll be hearing a lot more about it in the coming days. You're absolutely right that NO Democratic candidate will win without massive AA support. And despite all of the venom from Hillary supporters here, she needs AA voters more than anyone. Her negatives are so high that the only way she wins is by turning out a massive vote from the Democratic base. Unfortunately, her recent campaign strategy has been to attack the party's most loyal supporters -- AAs and liberal activists. Now Bill Clinton is out there attacking college students who support Obama.

Anybody who claims Hillary will win without AA support needs to explain how that happens in terms of numbers. Her husband would never have won his first election without AA voters, and he'd never have won the presidency without them. If there's a realistic scenario out there in which a Democrat wins after blowing off AA voters, I've yet to see it.

[justobserve]

That shows the stupidity of Clinton's prolonged race in her already lost battle. The Clintons and their surrogates are delusional and they alienated the party's supporters in the process. Superdelegates should come out now to endorse Obama if they think they will not votes against their constituents' wish anyway. Clinton with 60% untrustworthy rating and 60% unfavorable ratings made her UNELECTABLE.

[2CoolCats]

Totally. She has completely lost African American and the female votes. The Clintons are completely in denial and she should drop out. She is losing support every day. She keeps her mouth open and ends up putting her foot in it. She's making this about race. What if Obama made this about gender? He would get attacked by her immediately. She's got a vile temper and that's making her less credible.

Everything says that she's unelectable. Why does she keep doing this to herself? Her delegates and super delegates are going to head toward Obama, all the while backing away. She just lost one of her fundraisers because of she was disgusted by her dirty tactics. If one person on her team feels this way, you know that others will follow.

End this, super delegates... before the irreparable damage is done.

[Rocky4356]

I am a vet of nam winner of Bronze star and Purple Heart. I do not wear a Flag Pin because I wore the uniform instead. I have contacted the McCain campaign and told them that if Ms Clinton steals this at the convention that I will be ther man in my hometown. I find what the Clintons have done is beyond reproach. Oh by the way I am African American.

[dollars2donuts]

I also emailed McCain at his website and told him to make sure his party does not run any more of these racist ads (like in NC) because if he makes sure they don't, and he continues to woo AA's and show respect; then he could win as much as 30% (IMO) of black vote but if and only if he and GOP shows respect for us and does not do their usual racist-tinged campaign....good for you Rocky. Blacks are finally seeing how Democratic party REALLY feels about us this year, which has been a much needed lesson. When you vote 90% for any party, you will be disrespected and taken for granted. We need to exercise other options such as Green and yes, even GOP if they offer us something, why not?

[JoeTN]

Hey, you guys can frame this article as if only Hillary has something to lose if you want but Obama has done a terrible job of "uniting" working class whites, voters over 45 yrs and especially women. That # is greater than Hillary's so-called loss of the black vote.

I live in TN and voted for Ford, Jr. so I'm not a racist... but I won't vote for Obama under and circumstances.

This blackmail goes both ways.

[sparkandy]

Is this a threat to the Democratic Party? Nominate our guy, Obama, or else we'll go off into a corner and pout. Too bad this has to be about what makes this group happy or that group mad instead of what will be best for all of us. But the Dems settled that issue a long time ago when they threw out the one candidate who would have emasculated the Republicans for years to come.

[CeeLee]

Pout?!?
THAT is the operative "id" based stance for the toxic Clinton Gang! Narcissism, power hungry, entitled bunch of radical party "operators" and divisive political monsters who MUST have it THEIR way or EVERYONE who STANDS IN THEIR WAY is TO BE DESTROYED. Don't forget to add in calculated LYING. Being in a "corner" is what a wild animal does when it is about to be corralled for public safety. Cloaked racism in referring to "that group" is where most of problems lie in this bigoted race for the nomination. What would be "best for us all" would be for the TOXIC flame throwing tactics of the CLINTON GANG to be history.

[2CoolCats]

And it's only bound to get worse for the Clintons. That's their pattern.

[dollars2donuts]

So it's pouting to exercise our right to vote for whoever we please? *Give me a break* as your boy Dollar Bill would say. Blacks need to vote for different parties or else will perpetually be taken for granted!

[uheardme]

Funny no one voted for John Edwards. I gues that blows your stupid theory to hell.

[tbone99]

I wouldn't say that proves anything except tthat the media is running the election and this year "historic" was their latest sensation.

[chefrasta]

No it is not a threat but a promise deny the rightful winner of the democratic party,one who played by the rules and with honor because of your narrow mindedness then the democrats will suffer the consequences .Proceed at your risk.

[Teyshar]

I don't want to Emasculate Republicans. I want the country to run by coming to consensus opinion not to emasculating others because they don't like my Healthcare plan. The republican is not my enemy. We just have differing political philosophies at times. The democrat is not my enemy. We just have differeing philosophies on a few things. Now get to work on solving probems and applying solutions and stop bickering.

[WongChin]

The moment I knew we were in trouble was when Hillary and her media crowd somehow created the ethnic white strawman.

Obama is being put to the litmus test of winning a relatively samll demographic group, a Republican base, many of whom are voting Democrat in the nomination simply because Rush Limbaugh ordered them to vote for Hillary. Even then, Hillary wins them by less than 25 points.

Yet, nobody calls Hillary to prove she can win the black vote, a massive demographic group (many times the size of ethinc white strawmen), who have been ABSOLUTELY the most loyal demogratic base for the last 45 years or so, without whom the Democrats would not have won the presidency since 1964 at the latest.

It just shows how much becluded we are in America. Rep. Clyburn's statement has provided the much needed reality check. Every group is important in an election, but it is a fundamental mistake to privilege the ethinc white STRAWMAN, who will be waiting for the next command from Rush.

Of course, many so-called ethinc whitemen will vote Democrat, no matter what, and many have voted for Obama, but it is foolish fretting over them, when we have the scandal of Hillary losing 92% of the most solid Democratic demographic!

Assuming that primary results necessarily predict the general election, how can Hillary win without 90% of the black vote? This would be a tall order, even for a Republican. GUN

[EugeneWright]

Hillary has about as much chance of winning the "ethnic white vote" as Obama has of winning Alabama, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina, Utah or Wyoming in the Fall.

The truth is the Democratic Party did itself a gigantic disservice with this stupid proportional delegate system. It has led to this harmfully contentious process that doesn't remotely resemble how the contests will be decided in the general.

If we scrapped the ridiculous caucuses and proportonal delegate allocation at least we would know who would give us the best chance in the Fall.

[dollars2donuts]

Thank you for bringing this up. Democrats have the most screwed up primary system I have ever seen. They should work on changing it for 2012 and scrap Super Delegates and just go with winner take all, and all primaries. That way it will be over much quicker. And if by chance they end up with someone they're not comfortable with, they can go to 3rd ballot at the convention and vote for someone else. I wish they would consider it this year and go with Gore or Edwards, since HIll and BO are so damaged by her scorched earth campaign! And I can only speak for myself, but I think especially Gore, but possibly also Edwards, would be acceptable to blacks as a compromise candidate that would have a better chance of winning, especially if they chose woman or minority VEEP candidate.

[LittleSanityLeft]

The also made the mistake in thinking party members would put the country and the party ahead of their own ambitions. WRONG!

[Teyshar]

Yeah, the person named Clinton. Because we know her...........And the proportonal method was derived to stop McGovern style election fiascoes. Pick your poison.

[vschicago]

I notice with many comments by Democratic officials, when they begin to advise "civility in the Dem nomination", "both camps need to not divide the party", "both camps should stop the infighting", it sounds like a parent who's unhealthy partiality for one child over another always blames both children when the favored one is the one who usually starts or instigates the conflict.

Dem leaders know that Sen Clinton and her camp started and instigated the nonsense this race has become; making this race about race, creating unnecessary gender gaps, perpetuating Republican talking points and ultimately playing to the racially motivated fears of a few voters in a few states.

The Dem leaders always had the power to stop Clinton's nonsense; tell Senator Clinton and her camp that they have 2 options: she can take the high road going forward or we (the Dem party), will knock her off the road altogether ( and she won't be returning to it). The media won't be able to save her and her newfound Repub friends won't be able to exploit her anymore. Dem leaders, your corporate friends have made more than enough money from this drama; END IT NOW...or find that your greed for money and voters will backfire and you won't have either one in the fall.

[cubs325]

amen

[LittleSanityLeft]

A face a crippling backlash from a menopausal tsunami as women, who wanted to see a female president before they die, vote for McCain or not at all.

"it's her turn!"

Ugnh.

[xcrunner77]

how about the irreparable breach the Clintons are creating with this 41 year old white man?

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

hey x - she's not worried about you, she thinks you'll always come back, you'll always be in her corner..:)

[DrDemon]

I think there is NOTHING wrong with Women supporting Hillary simply because this is the first time in history that a woman has a legitimate chance to successfully gain the presidency.

I also think there is NOTHING wrong with an AA supporting Obama simply because he is AA (and white) simply because this is the first time in history that an African American man has a legitimate chance to successfully gain the presidency.

Reason being; aside from being a woman or an African American, they both have the propensity, competence & aptitude to deliver a successful presidency term/terms.

BUT: To ONLY support these candidates JUST BECAUSE she is a woman or because he is AA would be wrong.

Just wanted to clarify because I responded somewhere where I learned that Maxine Waters was supporting Hillary and I responded "must be a woman thing". Prob. sounded sexist, which I'm LOL because I'm far from it!

So Maxine Waters - YOU GO GIRL!

O in 08' !

[2CoolCats]

She's lost the female vote. She's losing support left and right. And it'll keep going in that direction because of her dirty play.

[LittleSanityLeft]

It's a dead heat in Indiana and the lead is tightening in NC.

[passthesewords]

I have been saying for weeks, that Hillary will not be re-elected Senator from New York, she/they (Bill)have lost the 85% black guaranteed vote needed to WIN the Senate seat again. Some young political man or woman, is just recording their (Bill/Hillary) words, You Tube, debates, campaign messages, speeches and planning their campaign as we speak against Senator Clinton. She's using the kitchen sink now, because they understand her political career is over in New York.

IIf I wanted to be New York Senator, I would be preparing for a run against Hillary based on this campaign for her seat in the Senate TODAY and any smart person would be doing the same planning. It's okay for the Clinton's, they have made the history books, Governor, President (twice), impeachment, Senator and very, very, very wealthy for life.

Bill will move his office out of Harlem next year.

[Shannon2008]

Yeah, she's a goner in NY should Obama lose the general. Blacks will blame her for distorting Obama's record and impugning his character. She'll have to work hard to regain their support.

[dollars2donuts]

She can work as hard as she wants but won't get them back, trust. Once you have lost black trust, it's over.

[uheardme]

But according to some DLC democrats, Republicans will come to her rescue. Don't be so hasty in predicting her defeat.

[sanchapa]

This election has the world's attention because Obama made it a story worth watching. The rally's, improbable victories, and the passion itself to see him win/lose are why we blog to death.

From nobody to frontrunner, outsider and all! I wondered myself if it was ever going to be possible!

His supporters and haters follow this election at every new browser refresh, because of him.

It's that of him, that leads nations.
-----------------------------------------------
I can't stand commentaries who don't have the guts to admit whether they supported Bush in 2000 or 2004 while having the gall to negatively comment on our Democratic candidates in any other postion than being a masquerade, mistaken and devious outsider. Stop pretending your alleged votes for our Democrat's will go to McCain, by convincing comment readers that the conduct of this primary/caucus election is "turning you away". Go, you unprincipled and easily swayed! Vote McCain.

Bush supporters were invited into this historic campaign with a generational candidate that could bridge votes far and wide. Many of you responded. You see the candidate not the commentary!

Now to you trolls, who say, "I was with him until now," makes you fickle and uniformed. Go, You now join the establishment that tears the electorate down and the hatred of ineffective politics our nation can't withstand. We don't need your devil's advocacy masking as real concern for our nation.

Limbaugh Liar's all of you.

[dollars2donuts]

Matter of fact, if I could have my wish, I'd wish that it would go to 3rd ballot in Denver and they would bypass Clinton and BO who are now both nearly unelectable, and go straight to Gore (or Edwards) and choose a black, Latino, or female for VEEP. That way they'll be in place for the next election. Perhaps direct election for the first time is too much change for the country to swallow all at once, but if VEEP first and they still won't vote for black/latino/female, then it's time for revolution (won't be televised)....or maybe emigration!

[sparkandy]

The very worst nightmare of the Republicans would just that scenario. Clinton and Obama are both very weak against McCain, except with the Democratic faithful Gore, and especially Edwards, would shred the Republicans for decades to come. Personally, I know a lot of Republicans who are voting for McCain just because he's not Obama or Clinton. But if they'd had a chance to vote for Edwards, this election would be all but over. Oh, well, maybe in an alternate universe.....

[Shannon2008]

You two Republicans are dreaming . . . There is no chance for a third party candidate or even a divide convention. This thing will be over before the end of June. A nominee will have the necessary 2025 delegates.

[reece2076]

I'm a 31 year old black man. I was 15 when Bill Clinton was first elected. What impressed me and many black people at the time was when he went on the Arsenio Hall show and played the saxaphone. I think that was the moment he connected with the AA community. I voted for him in '96 the first year I was eligible to vote. And I supported him while the right wing was trying to impeach him.
I considered voting for Hillary before Obama's campaign only because I thought she was the best bet to beat the republicans. Though I didn't want to go through another 4-8 years of scandals, I also didn't want 4 more years of Bush. When the race started I saw we had a few other good choices in Obama, Biden, Kucinich, Ron Paul, and Mike Gravel. The only viable candidate left is now Obama. Even though I was supporting Obama I still liked the Clintons before South Carolina. But when they started race bating and trying to turn Obama into the black candidate, whereas before he was a candidate who happened to be black, I stopped liking the Clintons. Every negative attack, lie, and smear since then has only made me like them less. I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. Unless they campaign with all their heart for Obama once Hillary finally drops out or the superdelegates finally get off their butts and support the inevitable candidate Obama.

[Hanuman]

What many are learning about the Clintons during this campaign is what some of us saw clearly during their inaction during the horrific Rwandan Genocide: little conscience, integrity and character. God-willing they will not occupy our White House again.

"It is character that is of utmost importance. It is virtues that lend greatness to any person."

Bless

[tbone99]

The truth is Rev Wright turned him into the black candidate to a degree far exceeding anything the Clinton's have done. And guess what , he's the one accountable for that.

[drzoon]

WHERE IS MAXIN WATERS in all of this?

isn't she offended by this? or has she sold out too?

[k6007]

Maxine Waters is a Hillary supporter.

[DrDemon]

Maybe just a woman thing...